Neil McPherson (rugby union)

Neil McPherson OBE, (26 September 1892 – 12 November 1957) was a Welsh rugby union player who represented Scotland and the British Lions. McPherson played club rugby for Newport and captained the team in the 1921/22 season.

Neil McPherson

Birth name	Neil Clarke McPherson[1]
Date of birth	(1892-09-26)26 September 1892
Place of birth	Cardiff, Wales
Date of death	12 November 1957(1957-11-12) (aged 65)
Place of death	Newport, Wales
School	Durham Road School, Newport
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop, Flanker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Newport RFC () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1920-1923 1924 Scotland British Isles 7 4 (0) (0)

McPherson gained his first cap for Scotland in 1920 against Wales at Inverleith alongside teammate Dr E Fahmy, who also played his club rugby in Wales. Scotland won 9-5, and prevented Wales from winning the Grand Slam. After accepting a gold watch as part of Newport's invincible 1922/23 season, the Scottish Rugby Union suspended McPherson for what they saw as an act of professionalism; but he was later re-instated. McPherson's last game for Scotland was against Ireland, but was chosen to join the British Lions 1924 tour of South Africa, when he played in all four tests against the Springboks.

International matches played
Scotland

•  England 1920, 1921, 1923
•  France 1921
•  Ireland 1920, 1923
•  Wales 1920

British Lions

•  South Africa 1924, 1924, 1924, 1924

References

1. Newport RFC player profiles

• ESPN Scrum - Neil McPherson